At Lake Harriet, we know and nurture students for nine years, from age five to 14—so your child won’t get lost in the crowd or fall through the cracks.

Two: A community school.

Most of our students live nearby so they develop long-lasting friendships in the neighborhood---a gift that keeps on giving. As kids get older, they can walk or bike to school or to meet friends. If you’re tired of living in your car, try a neighborhood school!

Four: The Lower Campus for K-3 is a perfect setting for young learners.

Small, intimate, and even the bathrooms are especially designed for short people! Kindergartners feel safe and self-assured. And by third-grade, they’re the Big Kids on Campus. The Lower Campus also has Minneapolis Kids, a program providing affordable, high-quality child-care before and after school and as a supplement to half-day kindergarten.

Five: The Upper Campus for grades 4-8 is an exciting blend of old and new.

ake Harriet attracts and retains a talented and experienced staff that has high expectations and provides a rigorous curriculum for our students.

Seven: Music, arts, sports and enrichment for the whole child.

At Lake Harriet, our specialists teach choir, instrumentals, dance, composing, painting, drawing, pottery and a huge variety of sports including football, gymnastics, badminton, cross-country skiing, even unicycling! We also offer a thriving band and orchestra program, Gifted and Talented, Junior Great Books, Art Adventure, a chess club of 100 kids with several national champions, after-school sports, environmental programs, and numerous arts residencies. And we offer before-school Spanish classes (for a fee) at both campuses.

Eight: A dynamic middle school for grades 6-8.

Our program is taught by teachers specially trained to meet the needs of young teens. Middle school feels different from our elementary program. Students change classes every hour, with every class taught by teachers specially trained in their subject. Our students participate in many innovative and challenging programs, such as the state-wide History Day competition and the Adopt Lake Harriet environmental project. We alos have Student Council.

Nine: Strong parent commitment.

Want to be involved in your kids’ education? Join the PTA. At Lake Harriet, parents volunteer in the classroom, lead enrichment programs and put on school-wide events like our famous spring carnival. Our active PTA produces an award-winning weekly newsletter, student directory and puts parent representatives in every classroom.

Ten: A public city school, open to all and proud of it.

At Lake Harriet, we welcome diversity and celebrate cultures from all over the world. We provide an environment that is inclusive and accepts all children, regardless of their needs. We work to ensure the success of all students.